Julia teaches

Julia delivers an exceptional lesson experience and ranks in the top
15% of our teachers nationwide.

Teaches students:

and Ages 10+

Teaching since:

June 1983

I began my study of music as a child with the study of piano. I also played and performed clarinet in the school band and marching band (highlight of my youth!), played and performed duet piano works, and also the organ. I was initiated by my native Swiss grandparents into dance and yodel music, which then interested me in ethnic music, in conjunction with my classical music studies. In addition to my music studies, I played intercollegiate sports and studied zoology. The schools I studied at were Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Buffalo State College, and then onto University of New Mexico to begin a Master’s Program.

Upon moving to Manhattan, I studied with a well-known voice coach in the opera world, Tom LaMonaco. I also studied voice with Nancy Ribakov and piano with Sy Ribakov from the Juilliard School of Music. I studied piano with Monique le Duc from the Paris Conservatoire, Mary Gunning from the New Mexico Symphony. In conjunction, studied voice with Ms. Jean Kraft from the Metropolitan Opera (7 years), and Regina Rickless (1 year) from the European stage.

Notably, Julia was chosen to perform a piano concert for the Spanish Ambassador to the US in Albuquerque, NM. (1999).

I performed a solo voice program in Natal, Brazil which included, Lieder, Italian arias and American songs, and received the honor of teaching a master class to the opera students at Federal American University, Natal, Brazil.

I have performed numerous several opera roles and produced and performed for artist’s series in the US.

I have served at the University of New Mexico as a faculty pianist – (2001-5) in the Ballet Department at UNM for several years. In conjunction with performing, teaching and continuing my education, Julia prepared the children’ Chorus for Opera Southwest and was the director of the Edgewood Opera Group, which introduced the community to the opera stage. Many of my students were in the SWO opera productions and are presently at major universities throughout the US.

I have accompanied and prepared many students for many levels of recitals and competitions, auditions, college university music entrance exams, opera, and Broadway productions while also producing and performing myself.

I continue to perform, teach, and record Lieder and Chanson in Arvada, CO. and hosts shin dings regularly at my home with my brilliant scientist husband, Joda.

*** Lesson Details ***
Dear Future Students,
I look forward to meeting you very much and exploring your music life with you.
Each music mind is different from the next, so bring your own uniqueness to the music and I assure you, you will find fulfillment and the evolution of your musical self.
I will give you 110% and I would like you to do the same. That means, you will need to practice! I practice every day and remember, there are many ways to practice. We can talk about this and I will give you many ideas.
There is no judgement in my studio. Learning music and continuing to improve is a process. Each person is different and contributes to their own becoming. Please don't worry about being like someone else. This is your turn. Your first lesson will BE A LESSON, and we will discuss the specific materials needed for you to study music.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a very nice studio in my home, with high ceilings, which offer very natural acoustics. I use my home for my professional recordings. I have a 5'9" Boston, which is made my Steinway. I love my piano and chose it for its rich dark sound.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will travel to you depending on the project.

*** Specialties ***
I teach using a variety of the educational piano books, i.e. Alfred
but I like to also use materials that fit the personality of the student. This means I will spend thoughtful time picking out these materials for the student. I also use a memorization technique for piano students for part of their work program. I enjoy the Alfred Theory books. With regard to voice, I have in the past required my voice students to at least read the treble clef so that they may play their vocal line however, this is an option. I use college materials for explaining the vocal apparatus, but my training from master teachers has evolved into a technique that brings the voice to stabilized sound whilst protecting the vocal chords. I use the 24 Italian arias for beginners.

Voice and Piano Teacher

Aug 2001 - Present

Julia G. Voice and Piano Studio

Potential students like to know what my approach is to both instruments. With my voice students, I begin with the 24 Italian arias. My grade school and chorus students catch on quickly to foreign language and Italian is used as it is full of vowels unlike German OR English! We choose from a variety of resources, as I do with piano students. I begin with the Alfred series, but again we will discuss and choose from a variety of resources

French, German, Italian, Latin

Brazil Concert

Couldn't have been better. Just what I was looking for. More, actually.

Josephine Tsao
Jun 9, 2015

Opera Voice·In studio

Julia is amazing!!! During my two-week trip in Tucson, AZ, I needed a voice teacher to help me get ready for a performance at a recital three weeks later in another state. I was so lucky and so blessed to have found Julia! Julia is an expert in classical and opera voice. She helped me with an Italian art song and a Chinese art song. She is always very encouraging, kind and patient. She knew my strengths and weaknesses right away, and taught me a variety of singing and breathing techniques to improve my voice. Julia is a treasure, and the best voice teacher I've ever met! I live in another state, but would like to go back to take lessons with her again in the future! Julia has years of experience in both performing and teaching. I highly recommend that students in the Tucson area have Julia for the voice lessons! Thank you Julia!

Julia has been a wonderful piano teacher. I went to her to learn a song I was attempting by myself, not really thinking about continuing lessons. Julia has made piano lessons fun and interesting, and is really good at figuring out how others learn. I've been really enjoying my lessons and plan on coming back for as long as possible!

Julia was a wonderful teacher for my 8-yr old! She is so patient with children, whose attention may be wandering. In our 6 months of lessons, my daughter learned to identify all of the notes on the musical staff, timing, could play two-handed scales, and several songs. I couldn't believe how fast she learned, all because of Julia's guidance and skill at knowing what was right for her at her level (beginner)!